2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid

2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid
The new 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid, following in the tire tracks of Honda's Accord Hybrid, brings the promise of fuel savings and interesting technology to the mainstream-sedan market. Although the Accord Hybrid seems to be a direct competitor, Toyota chose an Atkinson-cycle version of its 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine to mate with a 105kW electric motor for a claimed 192-horsepower total output. The combination balances a relatively high EPA fuel economy of 43mpg in the city and 37mpg on the highway, with acceleration that Toyota asserts is 0 to 60mph in 8.9 seconds. Our Hybrid test car was loaded with luxury and technology that includes voice-activated DVD navigation in English and Spanish; Bluetooth connectivity; 440-watt premium audio; smart keyless entry; push-button starting; and dual climate control. Pricing has not yet been announced, but it looks like the Camry Hybrid will be the upmarket model, with prices in the high-$20,000 to low-$30,000 range. The Camry's performance during our limited test-drive over flat roads was much like its Prius sibling's. At low speeds, the electric motor can do all the work, with very light throttle inputs. At full throttle, the sedan has adequate power for passing, and unlike the narrow Prius tires, the P215/60R16 all-season tires grip the road nicely.

Upside: Timing is everything in the automotive business, and a large midsize sedan with better-than-average fuel economy is well positioned to capitalize on high gas prices. Toyota's well-earned reputation for quality, as well as its third-generation Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a 650-volt potential and high current output, provides nearly the performance of the previous V-6 models. On the technology front, the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid's audio system is MP3 and WMA compatible, and it has an auxiliary input for iPod and other portable audio devices. Camry's clean, new style will appeal to some buyers who don't want to shout their green credentials.

Downside: The Prius has been popular for its ecology statement and diamond-lane pass as much as its fuel economy claims. Although the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid sports a different grille and badges, it clearly looks like a mainstream product, as well as begs comparison with other, less costly Camry models and the new larger Civic Hybrid. Revised EPA testing may dramatically reduce hybrid fuel-economy numbers and cause buyers to look beyond the enchantment of hybrid technology.

Outlook: The Camry model has been the sales leader for more than a decade, and the 2007 Toyota Camry Hybrid should sell quite well, especially if Toyota isn't too aggressive with its pricing. In fact, the short term should be especially bright for Toyota, with all the favorable publicity the automaker enjoys. The principal competition for hybrids may come from clean, efficient diesels that deliver excellent economy with less complexity and a lower cost.